Amateur Pinoy photographer in UAE wins big in int'l photo tilt

A glorious sunset paved the way for picture-perfect victories as a Filipino self-taught photographer in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates bagged two awards in the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (SWPA). Manny Fajutag, a helicopter mechanic, was recently named as one of the ten winners in the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Open Competition. His photo, “Rush Hour,” bagged top honors in the Travel category. Around 55,000 entries were sent by amateur photographers worldwide in the Open Competition. His photograph also won the 2013 Philippines National Award in the 2013 National Awards program, also sponsored by Sony, which seeks the single best image by an amateur photographer in each of the 23 countries included in the program. Fajutag, who is married and has three children, will also compete with the other nine winners in the Open Competition for the Open Photographer of the Year title, which will be revealed at a gala ceremony on April 25. The winner will get $5,000. How he started Contacted by GMA News Online through email, Fajutag told the story behind his award-winning photo and how he got started in photography. Fajutag said "Rush Hour" was snapped during a family vacation in Sibuyan Island in Romblon province last year. The sun was already falling when they were going home onboard a jeepney and were driving on a dusty road in Barangay Azagra in the town of San Fernando. Fajutag had a good and accessible view so he could take pictures if he came upon something beautiful, and come upon something beautiful he did. "So doon sa dinaanan namin na dusty road ng Azagra nu'ng makita ko ang view ng mountain at color ng sky, kasama na ang tricycle behind na pinakain ng alikabok ng jeep," he recalled. "I did not hesitate to grab my camera. Sinet ko agad sa aperure priorty and then lumipat ako sa bandang gitna sa right side ng passenger seat at inilabas ko sa bintana ang kanang kamay ko and then took several shots," he said. First contest He was so proud of his output that in June last year he submitted his entry to the Sony World Photography Awards, the first contest he had ever joined in his life. "Kung iisipin, mas marami ang mga profesionals na kasali sa competition, but I thank God out of (more than) 46,000 images, isa sa pinalad  sa shortlist ang picture ko," Fajutag said. "Doon pa lang sa shortlisted happy na ako, pero 'di pa pala doon nagtatapos," he continued, expressing his happiness for winning two awards. Fajutag served at the Philippine Air Force for a decade before he moved to the UAE in February 2007. He said he stumbled upon photography in 2010 and improved his craft through learning as much as possible about the art through whatever means. "I started my photography three years ago as a hobby. I had a point-and-shoot camera that time, but after a few months I upgraded to a changeable lens entry-level camera," Fajutag said. "From then I was curious and eager to learn the use of camera settings for that DSLR and by reading photography books, watching photography tutorial videos and attending several photography workshops," he continued. Fajutag said he plans to continue "to learn and explore more about photography." Photographer of the Year Fajutag said bagging the two awards is already enough, considering his being an amateur and a relative newbie in the field of photography. However, should he be honored to win the title, he said he will receive it with arms wide open. Fajutag also has a Facebook page where "Rush Hour" and other samples of his photography can be viewed. - VVP, GMA News